Cuomo taps MSG exec Lhota to head MTA

Joseph Lhota, currently executive vice president for administration for the Madison Square Garden Co., will replace outgoing MTA CEO Jay Walder as the transportation authority’s top dog. In addition to his time at Madison Square Garden and Cablevision, Lhota served as New York City’s deputy mayor for operations under Rudy Giuliani, where he oversaw day-to-day management of the city and managed the city’s operating budget and capital budget.

“Joe Lhota brings one-of-a-kind managerial, government, and private sector experience to the job and a lifelong commitment to public service that will benefit all straphangers,” Cuomo said. “I look forward to working together as we continue to reform the MTA, reduce costs, and improve service for New Yorkers.”

Walder announced in July he would be resigning as CEO as of Friday. To help select a suitable candidate to lead the MTA, Cuomo convened a 20-member search committee in August, which included Association for a Better Long Island Executive Director Desmond Ryan. The search committee finally settled on Lhota as the candidate they recommended to Cuomo.

“Millions of New Yorkers depend on the MTA to operate efficiently and effectively each and every day, and there is no one better equipped to ensure that the MTA is working than Joseph Lhota,” Ryan said. “I congratulate Gov. Cuomo for picking such a proven and experienced leader to run the MTA.”

Cuomo’s appointment of an MTA chairman and CEO is subject to confirmation by the Senate, which does not reconvene until January. In the meantime, Lhota is expected to come on as interim CEO. Cuomo said he will recommend reducing the compensation for Mr. Lhota by 5 percent from the previous level.

New Port Authority Executive Director Pat Foye, who was appointed by Cuomo on Wednesday, took a similar 5 percent pay cut from his predecessor, Chris Ward.

In addition to tapping Lhota as the MTA’s CEO and chairman, Cuomo also announced today that Nuria Fernandez, senior vice president of engineering firm CH2M Hill, will become the authority’s new chief operating officer.

While primarily a mainstay of New York City, the MTA has a significant footprint on Long Island, operating the Long Island Rail Road. In addition, the MTA is responsible for running Nassau County’s Long Island Bus service, at least until the end of the year, at which point it will be privatized and sold to Veolia Transportation.